General History of Connecticut, from Its First Settlement Under George Fenwick to its Latest Period of Amity with Great BritainPeters, Samuel
History
General History of Connecticut, from Its First Settlement Under George Fenwick to its Latest Period of Amity with Great Britain
Peters, Samuel
Connecticut -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; Connecticut -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
I should not have said so much about bundling had not a learned divine
(Dr. Burnaby) of the English Church published his Travels through some
parts of America, wherein this remarkable custom is represented in an
unfavourable light, and as prevailing among the lower class of people.
The truth is, the custom prevails among all classes, to the great
honour of the country, its religion, and ladies. The virtuous may be
tempted; but the tempter is despised. Why it should be thought
incredible for a young man and young woman innocently and virtuously
to lie down together in a bed with a great part of their clothes on, I
cannot conceive. Human passions may be alike in every region; but
religion, diversified as it is, operates differently in different
countries. Upon the whole, had I daughters now, I would venture to let
them bundle upon the bed, or even on the sofa, after a proper
education, sooner than adopt the Spanish mode of forcing young people
to prattle only before the lady’s mother the chit-chat of artless
lovers. Could the four quarters of the world produce a more chaste,
exemplary, and beautiful company of wives and daughters than are in
Connecticut, I should not have remaining one favourable sentiment for
the province. But the soil, the rivers, the ponds, the ten thousand
landscapes, together with the virtuous and lovely women which now
adorn the ancient kingdoms of Connecticut, Sassacus, and Quinnipiog,
would tempt me into the highest wonder and admiration of them, could
they once be freed of the skunk, the moping-owl, rattle-snake, and
fanatic christian.
My readers will naturally be desirous of information in what manner
the people of Connecticut conduct themselves in regard to the Stamp
Act, which has proved the subject of so much speculation and
controversy both in America and Europe. I will, therefore, give a
particular account of their proceedings concerning it, which will,
perhaps, appear to have been of far greater consequence than is
generally supposed in England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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